Residents indicate that expectant mothers and children in Man Aung Township, Rakhine State, which remains under military control, have been deprived of essential healthcare and medical services for an extended period.
My spouse is expecting a child, and we currently lack access to medical care. I am quite concerned about her well-being. There are no conflicts, but the clinics are not as well-equipped as they once were," stated local resident Ko Yan Naing, outlining the present circumstances.
Due to transportation being obstructed in Man Aung town, the town's public hospital, which has 50 beds, has been facing a shortage of vital medical supplies for a long time.
Furthermore, the lack of specialists and experienced doctors creates significant difficulties for patients suffering from serious or chronic illnesses to access treatment, as noted by another local resident.
“The hospital does not possess the essential equipment to diagnose the majority of illnesses. There are no specialists or medications currently accessible. Affluent patients may only travel to Yangon by cargo ship in emergencies and with the approval of the military council,” he stated.
Man Aung Hospital has almost stopped offering regular prenatal care, vaccinations, and emergency childbirth services.
A health worker stated, "For several years, we have not received any medicine from the government to support mothers and children."
Man Aung Township is an island area that remains under the direct authority of the military council. Although there has not been any direct fighting, the military council has prevented the movement of goods and medicine by both land and sea for nearly two years.
Due to this blockade, the township is experiencing a serious shortage of medicine.
“In Man Aung, if one requires emergency medication, it is necessary to pay an extra fee and acquire it from Yangon due to the medication shortage," a local resident explained.
The situation is extremely dire for expectant mothers and newborns as a result of the blockade, he stated.
Due to the military council's ban on travel without authorization, residents find themselves restricted within the township and are unable to access medical care in other townships.
The health emergency impacting expectant mothers and children in Man Aung Township demonstrates the level of distress experienced under the military council's governance. A community activist expressed that the international community needs to apply strong pressure on the junta to permit humanitarian aid to enter as soon as possible.
